The Scheming Ex-Husband's Courtship-Chapter 708 - 612: The Leng Family Owes Us Nothing
She had been chasing after him for so long, only to suddenly hear the news of Leng Shaoqing’s fervent pursuit of Ye Rui. Of course, she didn’t believe it was true. Ye Rui may be beautiful, but the Ye Family’s power is not even close to matching the Leng Family. Why would Leng Shaoqing take an interest in her?
Qin Youyou rushed to Ye Rui’s school, just in time to see Leng Shaoqing picking up Ye Rui in a red sports car after school, both of them chatting and laughing. Standing not far from him, she was plainly visible, yet he didn’t even spare her a glance. All she could do was watch helplessly as the flashy car drove off amid the envious exclamations of the crowd.
Ye Rui.
Qin Youyou clenched her teeth over the name, as if she wanted to tear it apart. Why did it have to be Ye Rui, the person she hated and resented the most?
Of course, Qin Youyou wouldn’t give up just like that. She went through all sorts of trouble to secure a job as Leng Shaoqing’s assistant at Leng Group, but with so many assistants and secretaries around him, it was hard for her to find a moment alone with him.
So when he suddenly transferred her to his side, she certainly couldn’t let such an opportunity slip through her fingers.
Qin Youyou quickly had the kitchen in Fragrant Hills prepare dinner. Over the years, she never stopped researching Leng Shaoqing, grasping a clear understanding of his taste preferences.
Qin Youyou placed the food containers on a tray and took it to Leng Shaoqing’s office. He had just answered a phone call and seemed lost in thought, staring blankly at a leopard-shaped pen holder.
"Shaoqing, it’s time for dinner."
Leng Shaoqing withdrew his gaze and replied indifferently, "Thank you."
He picked up his chopsticks and first inspected the food in the containers, which apparently met his expectations, and began to eat.
Qin Youyou stood by, secretly watching him eat, her eyes half-closed. Even the simplest movement of him picking up his food seemed cinematic in her eyes. Each gesture, every furrow of his brow, each savoring moment sent thrills through her being.
"Have you eaten yet?" Leng Shaoqing put down his chopsticks.
"Not yet."
Leng Shaoqing looked up: "Then go eat; what are you standing around here for, like a fool?"
"Shaoqing, your coffee table is a bit messy; let me tidy it up for you first." Qin Youyou walked over to the coffee table and began to tidy up, squatting down beside it.
After putting down his chopsticks, Leng Shaoqing continued working without paying any further attention to Qin Youyou.
As Qin Youyou was organizing the documents on the coffee table, she suddenly noticed a uniquely shaped ring that she recognized—it was a ring Ye Rui always wore on her hand as if it were her most treasured possession.
Her mind raced, and taking advantage of Leng Shaoqing not looking her way, she quickly slipped the ring into her pocket.
Leng Shaoqing soon received a phone call from Ye Rui.
"Shaoqing, I left my ring on the coffee table in your office, can you keep it for me?"
"Coffee table?" Leng Shaoqing got up from his seat, by now the coffee table was tidied up very neatly by Qin Youyou.
He rummaged beneath some papers but did not find any ring: "Are you sure it’s here?"
"I’m sure."
"Then I’ll look for it."
After hanging up, Leng Shaoqing searched the coffee table again but still couldn’t find it. He called Qin Youyou back in and asked if she had seen a ring.
Qin Youyou instantly put on an innocent face: "No, I didn’t see any ring when I was tidying up the coffee table."
Leng Shaoqing lifted his gaze, his eyes quietly observing her.
"I understand, you can go out," Leng Shaoqing said.
Qin Youyou walked out with eyes red as if she had been gravely wronged.
～
Ye Rui slept rather heavily today; it was quite a while after Leng Shaoqing returned before she woke up.
It was only when the bed dipped beside her and his familiar scent enveloped her that she slowly opened her eyes in a groggy state.
"Shaoqing," Ye Rui murmured, her eyes still half-closed, "Where’s my ring?"
Leng Shaoqing glanced at the wedding ring on her right hand: "Aren’t you wearing it?"
Ye Rui lifted her hand to his face, playfully shaking it: "Not that one."
"I’ve looked on the coffee table, it’s not there."
"How could it not be? I’m absolutely certain I left it on the coffee table." Ye Rui pouted, "If I lost it in your office, you have to compensate me."
Leng Shaoqing chuckled, "Alright, if it’s lost, I’ll pay tenfold. I’ll buy you another when I have time."
Ye Rui giggled and hugged his waist: "I don’t want ten times the compensation, I just want that one."
To her, it was the most important ring, irreplaceable: "You should look again."
"Mm."
"Shaoqing, I went to the hospital today."
"Hospital?" Leng Shaoqing suddenly bent down and turned her face towards him, his usually slightly upwards-slanted eyebrows now squeezed into a "川" shape: "Why did you go to the hospital, where do you feel uncomfortable? Why didn’t you tell me?"
Ye Rui originally just wanted to chat with him leisurely but didn’t expect him to become so anxious; she could feel his fingers on her face were stiff.
Ye Rui felt a warmth in her heart, his concern for her was heartfelt. What reason did she have to keep doubting their feelings for each other? Ever since their marriage, her father-in-law had officially retired from the Leng Group. Such a large family business was now entirely under his control. He was so busy every day that naturally, there wasn’t the same leisure and elegance as during the time they were dating.
It was her own pettiness.
"I’m sorry, Shaoqing." Ye Rui felt guilty for her selfishness: "My mood hasn’t been great recently, I’m sorry."
"You still haven’t told me, why did you go to the hospital."
"I just accompanied Xiao Yong. My body is fine." Ye Rui hugged him tightly: "Don’t worry."
"Is that so?" He seemed to breathe a sigh of relief. "That’s good then."
"Shaoqing, do you think we should have kids?"
Upon hearing these words, Leng Shaoqing’s whole body stiffened, and his expression became extremely complicated.
"Oh." Ye Rui, thinking he would agree delightedly, couldn’t help feeling a bit disappointed. But he was right; she was still young and not in a rush for the moment.
"I have to fly to Portugal tomorrow night; I should be able to return in about a week."
"Then take care of yourself." Ye Rui sighed softly: "I won’t see you for a week, I’ll miss you.
The next day after Leng Shaoqing left the country.
Ye Rui was in the greenhouse repotting a rubber tree, her hands in rubber gloves sticky with soil and her face also smeared with dirt.
Luo Huafang walked in and knocked over a pot of orchids at the door, exclaiming "Oh no."
Ye Rui called out "Mom" and quickly went over to prop the pot back up.
With a look of disdain, Luo Huafang wiped the soil from her trouser leg with a handkerchief: "Rui, you are the Leng Family’s young madam. Your husband is worth tens of billions. Don’t spend every day messing around with these flowers and plants, making yourself look like a country bumpkin."
Ye Rui moved the orchid pot to a proper spot: "Then what should I be doing?"
"You should be out shopping, playing, and beautifying yourself with those other rich ladies; that’s what you should be doing as the Leng Family’s young madam," Luo Huafang said, noticing the orchid pot she had knocked over earlier, she curiously asked: "What’s the name of this orchid? I haven’t seen this variety before."
"This is a new breed of orchid I’ve recently cultured; it hasn’t bloomed yet."
Luo Huafang sat down on a nearby chair, showing no interest in Ye Rui’s new breed of orchid: "Rui, this time it was thanks to you speaking up for our Ye Family in front of Shaoqing that we were able to smoothly snatch those businesses from the Qin Family. Your dad was so happy last night that he had half a drink, and he’s been off alcohol for many years."
Ye Rui stopped what she was doing, feeling puzzled because she hadn’t spoken up for the Ye Family in front of Leng Shaoqing.
"This time, we really got one over on the Qin Family. I think You Xia’s nose was almost crooked with anger, serves her right. She doesn’t see who our in-laws are. Competing with our Ye Family is like seeking death."
Ye Rui knew Luo Huafang and Qin Youyou’s mother, You Xia, were sworn enemies, always fighting openly and in the shadows over the years, each causing plenty of losses for the other.
"Mom, the Leng Family doesn’t owe us anything; we shouldn’t always use the Leng Family as a shield."
"Are you blaming me for causing you trouble?" Luo Huafang’s eyes reddened, "Although you’re not my own flesh and blood..."
"Alright, alright, Mom, you haven’t eaten yet, right? Lunch is ready in the kitchen; let’s eat together." Ye Rui was sick of Luo Huafang’s excuses, her head grew large just as she started speaking.
"Of course, of course, I’m really hungry." Luo Huafang had timed her visit for the meal on purpose and wouldn’t miss such a chance, "I heard the Leng Family’s chef makes good shark fin porridge."
"Mom, my mother-in-law is a Buddhist; we can’t eat those things at home."
"Your mother-in-law is your mother-in-law, this is your home. Why do you care about what she thinks?"
Ye Rui didn’t bother explaining to her that respecting someone also means respecting their beliefs. Such concepts, Luo Huafang would likely deem unworthy of understanding.
~
Portugal.
Qin Youyou received a call from You Xia, who immediately began to lament.
"Youyou, we got beaten by the Ye Family again. Those two clients we had just managed to attract, I don’t know what got into their heads, they went scurrying back to cooperate with the Ye Family. You should have seen Luo Huafang’s face; her nostrils were practically flaring to the sky, even warning us to be careful in the future. She was boasting about how her daughter married well, they are the Leng Family’s in-laws. Pah!"
After listening, Qin Youyou, who had been reading a translated document, crumpled it up in her hands, her eyes shooting daggers of hatred. 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞
"Mom, don’t worry, I’m in Portugal with Shaoqing right now. I’ll figure out a way to handle this matter. The Ye Family won’t be smug for long."
